2020-2021 SOLIS Officers Nominees - Valdosta State University
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February-March 2012 Volume 3 Issue 1
Sep/Oct 2020 Page 1 Volume 11 Issue 3
2020-2021 SOLIS Officers Nominees
Nominee for President: Nominee for Vice President:
Bio: Matthew Yohn lives in Kennesaw, GA and Bio: Taryn Mirabello is an Ohio public library Branch
works in the technical services department at the Life Manager. She began working in libraries in 2008 at the
University library. He has been a student in Valdosta John M. Flaxman Library and Joan Flasch Artists' Book
State’s MLIS program since Collection while pursuing her MFA
Fall of 2018 with a focus on in Writing at The School of the Art
technology. Last year he served Institute of Chicago. Her goal is to
on the SOLIS Advisory Board. become a Library Director.
Election Statement: I am run- Election Statement:
ning for SOLIS President be- I am running for Vice President
cause I enjoyed my time on the because I want to serve my fellow
SOLIS Advisory Board and VSU MLIS students and identify
would like to serve in a new ways to establish and maintain a
capacity. I learned from my strong sense of community among
experience on the board and, if elected, I will endeavor students—especially those students
continue the good work of my predecessors in repre- who (like myself) are completing
senting the students of the MLIS program. the program 100% online.
Nominee for Communications Officer: Nominee for Secretary:
Bio: Melissa Thompson began her MLIS journey in Fall Bio: Hello, everyone! My name
2019. She currently works as a library assistant at Augusta is Angelica Chapman and I’m
University's Reese Library located in Augusta, Georgia. an extroverted person with a
She has a strong interest in diversity & equality efforts in nerdy passion for libraries, gam-
librarianship as well as incorporating comics & graphic ing, music, and knitting. I have
novels in education. Upon completion of the program she had the pleasure of serving my
hopes to become a systems librarian focused on user expe- community in a variety of boards
rience and web accessibility efforts. including public libraries, roller
derby teams, and non-profit
Election Statement: Hello to all! plays.
I'm running for Communications
Officer. I bring forth a wealth of Election statement: I'm running for Secretary because
marketing experience--from web I'm a highly motivated and detail-oriented person who
media management to graphic de- cares about the future of librarianship. In particular, I’m
sign. I have the skills to encourage eager to be part of the current shift towards dismantling
all who want their voices to be the legacy of white supremacy in librarianship as well as
heard to become more involved. I ensuring accessibility of services to patrons with disabili-
am a dependable and attentive ties. In my role as secretary I will be accountable to
worker. I am approachable and encourage anyone to reach SOLIS by meticulously and reliably performing my role
out to me if they need a listening ear. I appreciate this op- in recording and sharing information. I will also use my
portunity and hope to represent Valdosta State, SOLIS, and skills in library programming and teamwork to engage us
most importantly our fellow students. all in memorable activities.
Cast your vote here: https://valdosta.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DkzM9Z8Qo4ELlz
Sep/Oct 2020 Page 2 Volume 11 Issue 3
SOLIS Advisory Board Member Nominees
Bio: Avery Johnson was born and raised in Bio: Genesis Vanderhorst Batista is in
Smyrna, Georgia, and now lives in Dallas, Geor- her 4th semester at VSU. Born in the Do-
gia with her husband and three cats. She has- minican Republic she immigrated to the
worked in libraries for 5 years, first as a part time U.S. at the age of 5. She was raised in
clerk at a public library to a circulation supervisor Queens, NY and studied Communications
at the University of West Georgia Ingram Li- at Fordham University. She currently re-
brary. sides in Lawrence, Massachusetts and
Election Statement: As an advi- works for the Trial Court Law Libraries
sory board member, my desire is as a Law Library Assistant.
to work with the other members
Election Statement: I wish to run for a position to be a member
of SOLIS to organize events and
on the Advisory Board. I believe that I can contribute to the suc-
activities that will benefit those
cess of the 2020-2021 program period with the experience and
in the MLIS program. Being a
former leadership positions I’ve held. For example, during my
distance learner, I hope to use
undergrad years I served as President of Poder Latino, a club for
this as an opportunity to develop
Latinx students on campus and interested students to learn about
closer connections with others in
Latinx culture and history. Being President of this club allowed
the MLIS program and integrate
me the opportunity to form connections with different students
myself into the culture of VSU.
and clubs on campus and share my culture and my team’s inter-
ests and passions with others.
Bio: Jeremy McAninch’s li- I also currently serve on the Board of an organization in my com-
brary experience consists of 7 munity called BLAC! Lawrence. BLAC! Lawrence is an upcom-
years as the Night Circulation ing nonprofit that focuses on educating and informing the citizens
Supervisor at an academic li- of the Lawrence community in Lawrence, MA on Black Lives
brary. He is interested in refer- and the injustices, truths, and struggles experienced by Black folk
ence work but also open to any and people of color.
library related position upon
obtaining my MLIS degree. He
is pursuing a SOLIS position so Bio: Lauren Simpfenderfer is in her third
that he can further interact with semester in VSU’s MLIS program. She has a
his classmates. B.S. in Informatics/Information Technology
from the University at Albany. She has
Election Statement - I would like to be consid- worked in public libraries for over five years
ered for an Advisory Board position. I intend to and is currently a youth services library assis-
be available to aid SOLIS however I can in this tant at the White Plains Public Library.
role. I will gladly take direction from the officers Election Statement: I am excited for the opportunity to become
and collaborate with fellow board members in a more involved at my school through SOLIS. If elected, I hope to
constructive manner. I will commit to serving the find more opportunities for students to connect and support each
organization to the best of my abilities. other despite the restrictions of an online program, as well as
represent my fellow students’ interests on the advisory board.
Bio: Mikayla Kittilstved (she/her) lives in Washington state with her partner, Nick, and their
cat, Purrlock Holmes. She works for the Community Library Network in Idaho and serves on the
North Idaho Reads committee. Mikayla enjoys bluegrass music, travel, board games, and Nancy
Drew!
Election Statement - I am running for advisory board member to increase the representation of
West Coast students in SOLIS and to support SOLIS activities all distance learners can easily par-
ticipate in.
Cast your vote here: https://valdosta.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DkzM9Z8Qo4ELlz
Sep/Oct 2020 Page 3 Volume 11 Issue 3
SOLIS Advisory Board Member Nominees
Bio: Megan Steinhauser is a Bio: My name is Samuel Ernst and I am from
current MLIS student who Omaha, Nebraska. I have volunteered and
works as a sub for the Pikes worked at my local library for the past 13 years
Peak Library District. After and two years ago decided to pursue my MLIS.
working in libraries for over I feel very fortunate to have selected VSU as
12 years, she decided it was my graduate school and am looking to become
time to start her MLIS. She more involved with other MLIS students
hopes she can combine her Election Statement: I am running for a posi-
love of libraries, her work ex- tion on the SOLIS Advisory Board so that I can
periences, and her education to help better serve assist the SOLIS officers in their activities and
the library patrons in her community. provide advice and my opinion when needed. I
Election Statement: I hope that my passion for have served on a non-profit Board and I know first-hand the most
libraries and my various library experiences in important thing a Board needs is to be unified in purpose and work
three states will make me an ideal candidate for as a team and also have excellent communication skills. I feel that I
the SOLIS Advisory Board. I hope by serving can provide these things on the SOLIS Advisory Board. In these
on the Advisory Board it will not only help cur- unprecedented times, we need to provide innovative solutions to
rent and future students, but it will also help in adapt to our new normal. I am grateful for this opportunity to run for
my growth as a leader and librarian. the SOLIS Advisory Board and am hopeful for the impact I could
have as a part of SOLIS.
Congratulations!!!
MLIS Spring 2020 graduate Jennifer R Sullivan’s article based on her Capstone project is scheduled to be published
in the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science in April of 2021 (vol 62, issue 2).
Title: Child Development Knowledge Among New Children's Librarians in U.S. Public Libraries
MLIS Spring 2020 graduate Alex Thomerson will be recognized for the Georgia Library Association Academic Li-
brary Division Research Paper Award at this year's October GLA conference. He will also present his paper in a webi-
nar for GLA prior to the conference.
Title: Academic Library Space and Technology Concerns: A Content Analysis by Discipline
MLIS Spring 2020 graduate Lauren Jones is the runner-up for the Georgia Library Association Academic Library
Division Research Paper Award.
Title: Post-Traditional Student Satisfaction with the User Services Provided by Dacus Library
MLIS current student Jessica Varsa was awarded the 2020 Georgia Library Association Beard student scholarship.
She was also the recipient of the VSU MLIS Baker Family Scholarship for spring 2020.
MLIS current student Donald “Don” Giacomini won the 2020 Georgia Library Association C.S. Hubbard scholarship.
MLIS current student Chaundria M. Campos was the 2020 recipient of the ARLIS/NA Southeast Chapter Travel
Award of $500.
Congratulations to you all for your excellent academic performance and achievement! We are proud of you!
Please keep sharing your news with us about a recently awarded scholarship, a conference presentation, or a paid in-
ternship opportunity, or other exciting news of your scholarly and professional achievements. Please send your news
items to xren@valdosta.edu as they happen. Thank you!
Cast your vote here: https://valdosta.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DkzM9Z8Qo4ELlz
Sep/Oct 2020 Page 4 Volume 11 Issue 3
Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Shull
Ashley Shull serves as the Archives and Special Collections Coordinator for the Athens Regional
Library System, managing the Athens-Clarke County Library Heritage Room, assisting library
branches across 5 counties with special collections, and serving on the leadership team of the
Athens Regional Library System. Shull serves as a board member of the Athens Historical Socie-
ty and also as a member of the Programming Committee for the Society of Georgia Archivists.
Shull earned a bachelor's degree in Literature and master's degree in Secondary Education from
Georgia College and State University, and a Masters in Library and Information Science from
Valdosta State University. She graduated from the program in 2015.
What were your favorite classes while in the MLIS program?
My favorite classes while in the MLIS program were generally the technology and metadata based courses. I worked
part-time reference assistance at a public library while earning my degree, so the classes concerning the “back-end” of
library work were the most interesting to me.
What was your favorite course project while receiving your MLIS degree?
My favorite course project was honestly the portfolio. It provided me the opportunity to review my progress and pro-
gression throughout the program. It took me 3 years to finish the program, so I often overlooked all of what I accom-
plished while working towards completing the degree. I also really enjoyed building a website in Dr. Yang’s class. It
was great to be able to build something from scratch that still exists today.
How has what you learned while getting your MLIS degree directly affected or been applied to your work?
I learned about database systems, archival theory, and more importantly the impact of librarianship on the world at large.
I gained such a passion for the profession and for serving the public. I strive to serve my patrons with respect and
acknowledgement at every step in the process from selecting materials for the collection, developing programming, to
serving them one-on-one. I now not only manage the special collections and archival collections at the Athens Regional
Library System I also serve on our Regional Resource Team or leadership team for our five county system. Everyday I
use skills I learned in the program to serve on this team.
Do you have any advice for upcoming graduates on how to navigate the job search and/or the field as a new grad-
uate?
I Take every “failure” as an opportunity for growth. I did not get full-time salaried work right after I completed my de-
gree, it took a year and a half. I interviewed at least 7 different times for 5 different positions along the way. It was not
easy, but I learned from each of those interviews and eventually ended up exactly where I needed to be. I would also
advise new graduates to take every opportunity afforded to you. I worked 2-3 part-time jobs for years, waiting tables,
and often working 14 hour days. Through each of those positions (sometimes not even library related) I learned more
about the profession, about myself, and what I wanted. I interned and volunteered, I went to conferences, and I kept ap-
plying for jobs--eventually leading me to my current position. I’ve had 5 job titles in 8 years at the same library system
each with more and more responsibility. Get your foot in the door and learn to grow!
SOLIS website: https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/master-of-library-and-information-science/solis/
Sep/Oct 2020 Page 5 Volume 11 Issue 3
Support the Student Organization of Library and Infor-
mation Science (SOLIS) by ordering your own T-shirt
with the VSU and MLIS insignias!
Proceeds of sales in years past have funded ALA confer-
ence registrations for several students, travel reimburse-
ments for SOLIS officers representing SOLIS at GLA
conferences, a reception for the travelling rare books ex-
hibit on loan from the Remnant Trust, and a 15th anniver-
sary celebration in downtown Valdosta.
Shirts are sold at $10 each at events such as Georgia Li-
braries Conferences.
SOLIS T-Shirt Order Form
Yes, I want to support SOLIS! Please send me ____________ (number) of shirts.
Please indicate the quantity for each size:
Small _____ Medium _____ Large _____ X-Large _____ XX-Large ____
Order of one (1) shirt is $20 (includes processing and shipping via USPS).
Order of 2 or more shirts is $15 per shirt (processing and shipping included)
Total enclosed: ________
Check payment only.
Make check payable to MLIS Foundation . Allow two to four weeks to receive your t-shirt(s).
Your shipping address:
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Email Address:
Please mail this form with your check to :
Dr. Xiaoai Ren
Department of Library and Information Studies
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 31698
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